Luke Humphries has made an extraordinary declaration about his rival Luke Littler, labelling the teenage sensation as "the greatest darts player who has ever lived" following their epic World Masters final clash. The stunning tribute came after Littler, aged just 19, secured his latest major title with a gripping 6-5 victory over Humphries in Milton Keynes on Sunday night.
A Thrilling Contest Decided by Fine Margins
The absorbing final at Arena MK saw Littler add the prestigious World Masters trophy to his rapidly expanding collection, claiming his 11th major PDC title along with the substantial £100,000 prize fund. Despite Humphries actually recording a higher tournament average of 105.51 compared to Littler's 104.72, it was the younger player who demonstrated remarkable resilience when it mattered most.
Humphries' Generous Praise for His Conqueror
Speaking to ITV after the match, a gracious Humphries was effusive in his admiration for Littler's performance under pressure. "You look back on the whole game. It's hard to pick holes in it," Humphries reflected. "That's the pressure he puts you under. He has shown that through class. He never folds under pressure. I think he's the greatest darts player who has ever lived."
This remarkable endorsement from a fellow elite competitor underscores Littler's extraordinary impact on the sport at such a young age. The teenager now stands as joint third in darts history for major titles won, level with James Wade and trailing only the legendary Michael van Gerwen (48 titles) and Phil Taylor (79 titles).
Littler's Path to Victory
The World Masters triumph didn't come easily for Littler, who had to navigate a challenging route to the final. He began by thrashing Josh Rock in the quarter-finals before surviving a tense semi-final encounter against Gerwyn Price, narrowly prevailing 5-4 after Price missed a crucial match dart.
The final itself proved equally dramatic, with Humphries leading 5-4 before Littler mounted a determined comeback to dominate the final two sets. "Going into the last break at 5-4 down I said to myself I have got nothing left, but I managed to dig deep," Littler revealed post-match. "I was fully focused and got the job done."
Key Moments That Turned the Match
Littler's victory was built on several crucial moments of brilliance, including a spectacular 153 checkout and two impressive 121 finishes that electrified the Milton Keynes crowd. These moments of quality proved decisive in a match where Humphries had appeared poised for victory.
"Of course I'm gutted not to win it, but you have to take the positives," Humphries acknowledged. "I can go away this weekend and know that my game is in a good place again. It's been a great tournament for me."
The Emerging Dominance of Darts' New Rivalry
This latest encounter further cements the growing rivalry between the two Lukes, who are currently dominating the professional darts circuit. Littler now holds a significant psychological advantage, having secured television final victories over Humphries at both the World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts during the previous season.
Looking ahead, Littler needs only to capture the European Championship title to complete a remarkable clean sweep of all PDC ranked tournaments. His performance in Milton Keynes suggests this achievement may be within reach sooner rather than later.
"It's definitely been weird and tough at times, but this is why we battle in every game and every leg," Littler reflected on his journey. "I've come out victorious. Me and Luke in the first major of the year and I'm sure it will continue throughout the year."
The World Masters final has undoubtedly set the stage for an enthralling year of darts, with Humphries' extraordinary declaration about his rival adding another fascinating layer to their developing competition.
